I’d seen Shiner Bohemian Black Lager on the shelves of Memphis-area grocery stores for awhile now, but never had a chance to pick up a six-pack. When the beer took the gold medal in the German-Style Schwarzbier category in October at the Great American Beer Festival, I knew it was time to try it.

Originally brewed as a limited edition beer to commemorate Spoetzl Brewery’s 97th anniversary, it became a permanent part of Spoetzl’s brand portfolio in 2007.

“Crafted according to exacting old-world standards with imported Czech Saaz, Styrians Hops and selected roasted malts, it’s the darkest beer Shiner brews,” according to the brewery.

So how is it?

The beer pours a dark brown — nearly black — and has a nice, mild coffee-like aroma of roasted malts. Any hop aroma is minimal. The flavor is mild as well — malty with a clean finish, making it a pretty easy-drinking beer.

For those new to craft beers or dark beers, it’s definitely a good starter beer. And it’s got just enough malts to satisfy drinkers with more sophisticated palates.